legerdemain

noun

ˌle-jər-də-ˈmān How to pronounce legerdemain (audio)
Definition of legerdemainnext
1
as in magic
the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions for entertainment the illusionist's show is an entertaining blend of legerdemain and over-the-top showmanship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end the reduction of the deficit is due in part to financial legerdemain that masks the true costs of running the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legerdemain But through a combination of legal legerdemain and a lame-duck power grab in Sacramento, the Democratic maps went into place anyway. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2026 Unlike the overheated adjectives that preceded it, this bit of legerdemain is a proper noun. — Bruce Stockler, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026 There is something more profound going on than constitutional legerdemain. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026 Between April 1 and 7, the fair gathered 60 brands at the Palexpo exhibition center that broke new records, showcased world premieres and offered an ever-growing array of technical and artistic legerdemain in their latest high-end timepieces. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legerdemain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legerdemain
  1. magic
  2. deception
  3. trickery
  4. subterfuge
  5. chicanery
  6. treachery
  7. deceptiveness
  8. skulduggery
Noun
  • Enter Professor Ian Wright (Lee Pace), whom Sally and Gillian discover stark naked in his London apartment under the influence of dark magic.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But the freshman came back to the underthrown ball and made magic happen.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of magic
Noun
  • Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has highlighted a shift in tactics in museum thefts, from deception and stealth to more aggressive and violent methods.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Although Silo 1 discovered her deception, the rebels clamped the pipe in the knick of time.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Between the huge practical sets and stunts, the matte paintings and in-camera trickery, the on-location filming, and a leading man at the height of his movie star powers, Spielberg and his team performed the filmmaking equivalent of wizardry.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Football is all about engaño (trickery) — looking one way and passing the other, feinting to go left and swiftly moving right, manipulating the opposition and tricking them to open up those little spaces.
    — Xavi, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of trickery
Noun
  • The cover art sets it up perfectly, a dreamlike subterfuge that transforms the Villarreals into mythological Greek heroines.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The subterfuge involved him stowing away in an airport catering container to sneak onto the jet.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of subterfuge
Noun
  • Some felt that Ballmer was too smart to be involved in this sort of chicanery.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • This chicanery is the reason that many secure email services simply don't display images by default.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of chicanery
Noun
  • Was there a whiff of treachery among this crew, someone who might betray them to the Germans?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • For his treachery in conspiring with Gwayne, Daemon claims Corlys as his own prisoner.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of treachery
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness
Noun
  • There are no federal protections against this skullduggery, and only 10 states have enacted dedicated statutes to combat the problem, according to Equity Protect.
    — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Few would begrudge Paraguay this recognition, but the skullduggery did produce eye-rolls and requires stronger officiating.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of skulduggery

Browse Nearby Words

legends
legerdemain
legged (it)
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Cite this Entry

“Legerdemain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legerdemain. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on legerdemain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legerdemain

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